1. North Dakota became a state: May 16, 1889, is an important date for North Dakota as it marks the day it officially became a state. It was the 39th state to be admitted to the United States.

2. The first woman elected to Congress from North Dakota: On May 16, 1932, North Dakota made history by electing its first female member of Congress. Her name was U.S. Representative Elizabeth P. Hill and she served two terms in the House of Representatives from 1933 to 1937.

3. North Dakota National Guard deployment: On May 16, 2006, the North Dakota National Guard was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was the largest deployment of the North Dakota National Guard since World War II.

4. Devils Lake spills over: May 16, 2011, saw the Devils Lake in North Dakota reach its highest recorded water level at 1,454.3 feet above sea level. The lake had been steadily rising due to snowmelt and heavy rainfall in the area.

5. A powerful tornado hits North Dakota: On May 16, 1957, a powerful F5 tornado hit Fargo, North Dakota, killing 10 people and injuring over 100 others. The tornado, with winds estimated at over 260 miles per hour, destroyed over 300 homes and caused extensive damage throughout the city. It remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in North Dakota history.